A really arresting take on Little Red Riding Hood:
Between the silhouetted animation, the intense music, and the take on violence in the fairy tale, I found it captivating. Even though it’s a somewhat gruesome take, I’m very intrigued by the idea of how the hero doesn’t necessarily live happily ever after, even if she’s survived. Kudos to directors Jorge Jaramillo and Carlo Guillot.
(via Alyssa at Think Progress–more on fairy tales there too)
It’s hard to imagine The Hunger Games without that iconic mockingjay pin image. But, as with most cover art, I didn’t know exactly who created this image. Turns out it’s Tim O’Brien, artist and professor of illustration at University of the Arts. About the image, he says:
“It’s elegant because of the way the wings are displayed…The head bowed is a less proud position. He is turned back into the circle.”
It’s interesting to think of that description as a reflection of Katniss and the Districts of Panem. There’s a combination of strength and acquiescence, and the potential for sudden movement.
Make sure to click through for more about O’Brien and his illustration.
(image: The Hunger Games Wiki)
When I was little I loved Madeline. She was French; she had an adorable hat; she wasn’t afraid of tigers; she got her appendix out. What more could a girl want?
So of course I was psyched to see this interview with the author John Bemelmans Marciano of Madeline’s latest adventure, Madeline at The White House. He’s also the grandson of Ludwig Bemelmans, author and creator of the Madeline books. What a fantastic lineage! Marciano talks about taking up the Madeline series:
“Q: Taking on the Madeline series is a big job, were you nervous continuing the series and how did you go about it?
A: Most definitely. At first, I tried to search for a style that was consciously different from my grandfather, artwise, but as I’ve gone on I’ve returned more to the look of the originals, and realized that in ways that are important, my own style comes out. What’s most important is that the spirit and honesty of the originals are kept going.”
I love that mention of the “spirit and honesty of the originals” continuing for a new generation. I’m sure that’s very hard for an artist to maintain while also making sure to utilize their own creativity. But it’s also a reason why these characters are so beloved and lasting.
Also really cute–this video of Marciano reading his book at the White House Easter Egg Roll last year:
This makes me want to break out my old Madeline books!
Love this literary map of the UK and Ireland:
Shall we visit William Wordsworth, C.S. Lewis, or John Keats first?
(image: Geoff Sawers, The Literary Gift Company)
Love these bookplates by Mac and Ninny:
Lots more through the link. Not sure this would help me share books more, but it’s a possibility. (via Letterology)
The squirrel all the adorably shy boy squirrels fall in love with:
(Image: Séamus Gallagher / & the song said let’s be happy)(via John Green)
How cute are these pop-up city books? What a cool gift idea!
Cities currently available: Paris, New York, London. Upcoming: Washington, DC and Dublin. I’d like to see Amsterdam! (image and via Design Mom)
A few more links for today:
Swelling with New England pride at this section of The Booklovers Map of America Showing Certain Landmarks of Literary Geography by pictorial cartographer Paul M. Paine:
Heck yeah birthplace of American literature! (via Maria Popova at Brain Pickings)
I’m a little obsessed with A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead and Erin Stead. Both the art and the story are charming and cozy and whimsical. So of course I squeaked when I saw the Horn Book interviewed illustrator Erin Stead about art, color, and her book And Then It’s Spring. A couple of favorite responses:
“3. My favorite spring song is “Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most.” What’s yours?
EES: I haven’t been able to think of anything that tops Mel Brooks’s “Springtime for Hitler.””
Erin, you are correct. On a more serious note, about knowing our history:
“I don’t necessarily mean the books that have become part of the canon (although that is an excellent place to start). A lot of good books can get lost in today’s online-blogging-twitter-algorithm shopping, but it’s nothing a good library, new or used bookstore, or a little Leonard S. Marcus can’t fix. Sometimes I worry that we’ve given up a little of the weird or the dark in picture books, while not realizing that some of the books we still love are entirely weird. I love Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, but as an elevator pitch, that book is strange.”
Make sure to check out the whole interview.